Wayne Buchanan - 08.07.2018

Ashington FC’s newly appointed club captain Wayne Buchanan is hoping to shake off a niggling calf injury so he will be able to lead the Colliers out in a warm up match against his former outfit Blyth Spartans at Croft Park next Tuesday evening (July 17).

The 36 year old defender was not even named in the squad for Friday night’s trip to face Scottish outfit Gretna where the Wansbeck side were 4-1 winners but is itching to line up with his new team mates Matty Wade and Shaun Vipond – both also ex Blyth players - against the Spartans: “It’s a good friendly for us and it’ll be nice to go back and play against them,” he said, “I made a lot of friends at Blyth during my time there including people behind the scenes and the club were great with me and were always welcoming. Since leaving Croft Park I have played against Blyth a couple of times and it was good to see everyone again.”

Buchanan – born in Banbridge, Co Down - spent three seasons with the Spartans and he continued: “I loved my time there especially when we got to the first round of the FA Cup - and under the then manager Mick Tait, we had a really good FA Trophy run reaching the quarter finals. I was captain of the side and would probably never have left the club – but I got a bit disillusioned and had a break of six months from the game.”

Buchanan, based on the Team Valley, went on: “Tuesday will be a good test for us. I think both teams will be having a look at players for the season ahead and I’m looking forward to it. Things have been going well for us so far but personally I’ve got a niggle with my calf. It’s an old injury which tends to flair up most pre seasons but I’m hoping to be able to play against the Spartans.”

Manager Steve Bowey said: “I’d like to think that Wayne is going to be fit as it’s always nice to return to a former club. We want to make it competitive and look to win the game. It will serve as a good yardstick to see where we are and it’s always nice to face good and hard opposition. Things are shaping up well. You take all the positives out of games – and there were plenty at Gretna - but you win nothing pre season.”

Meanwhile Bowey is hoping to receive a good reception from the Spartans crowd: “I played 200 games for Gateshead,” he said, “I used to get a bit of banter from the Blyth supporters - but I know it was all in good nature.”